MONTROSE, S.D. (KELO-AM) - Eddie Wurtz just finished up in the turkey barn at the Orland Colony and left the large facility around 10:15 Friday night. By 11:00 PM, crews were on the way to a large fire that engulfed the facility. By the time fire units arrive, the roof of the facility has collapsed.
Wurtz told one media outlet he is at a loss for words, stunned at thelosing almost 15,000 turkeys, valued in excess of 300,000 dollars. The total cost of the blaze is still being calculated.
He said he first found out about the fire minutes after leaving the production facility, when he got a call from another Colony member.
Crews from Montrose, Colton, Salem, Humboldt and McCook County Emergency Management battled the fire all night, aided by other area volunteer departments and Colony personnel. Tender trucks ferried water, and pumps were set up to draft from local water sources. One arriving crew said they could see the fire from nearly two miles on approach.
According to McCook County Sheriff’s Deputy Anna Misar the barn is a total loss, and the cause is still under investigation.
Orland Colony is approximately eight miles north of Montrose.